[Relationship between JWA expression and DNA damage-repair in human embryonic lung cells by benzo(a) pyrene]

To investigate the expressions of JWA gene and heat shock protein 70 (hsp70) in human embryonic lung (cccHPF-1) cells after exposure to activated benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P), and to explore the role and the possible mechanism of JWA gene involved in B(a)P-induced DNA damage and repair.

The models of DNA damage of ccc-HPF-1 cells were established by treatment of cells with B(a)P plus S9 at 10 to 100 micromol/L for 3 hours with or without 24 hours recovery for DNA repairing. The DNA damage was detected by single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assay (comet assay). And the immuno-blotting assay was used for detecting expressions of JWA and hsp70.

JWA expression was actively modulated by B(a)P exposure. The expressions of both JWA and hsp70 were increased greatly at 50 micromol/L and 100 micromol/L B(a)P treated cells and maintained at over expressed levels treated by 10-100 micromol/L B(a)P during the restored time. In addition, JWA expression pattern was similar to that of hsp70.

JWA is determined in this study by its functioning as an effective environmental responsive gene and actively participating in the signal pathways of DNA damage and repair which might be associated with excision repair.